Sometimes, hiring a contractor in Santa Monica can turn out to be a mistake. There are some signs that you need to take note of before you make a deal with any professional, in order to protect your assets and prevent a disaster from occurring.

If you notice any of the following warning signs either before or during your construction project, it may be time to hire a new contractor for the job:

High Payment Upfront: If you get the sense that your contractor is demanding too much upfront, it’s not wrong to ask for a second quote. Anything more than 15 percent of the project expense is an automatic red flag. Many states allow for much more, but contractors usually don’t ask for that much. Most of them will have sufficient credit to cover the remaining costs until completion. If they don’t, it could mean that they’ve had their credit revoked, which is a very bad sign.

Odd Working Hours: Most contractors keep standard working hours so that you and your family or company is not inconvenienced. If you find that they are not on-site at regular working times, it may be a warning sign that something is wrong. This is especially true if you notice a pattern of a late start on Monday mornings and an early wrap-up on Friday evenings. The professional will assign their working hours and stick to them until the job is done. This shows how hard they are willing to work, and also makes sure that your job is completed on time. In these cases, it’s best to be upfront and ask about the irregular timings.

Poor Communication: Even though you’re not an expert in construction and building, you have the right to be informed about the job. The contractor should ideally keep you updated about every step of progress that they make. If you find that they are vague, tend to be unpleasant or feel like they aren’t listening to instructions, it’s probably best to consider letting them go. It is part of their job to keep you aware and up-to-date about everything that’s going on; after all, you’ve invested your money on this project.

Defies Contract: Any contract you sign is a binding agreement with your contractor. Once you’ve agreed to certain conditions and parameters of the job, it’s vital that both sides keep up their end of the bargain. When you see that the work being done doesn’t comply with the contract, it’s an immediate sign that something is wrong. It’s okay to fire a contractor for not abiding by your specifications, and who doesn’t let you know why. From the materials used to the design layout, everything must be approved by you before it’s passed.

Remember, if your contractor breaks the regulations in the contract, it’s best to choose someone who will listen to you. Drop the one you have and choose someone who works professionally and can get the job done right. Santa Monica has many trustworthy general contractors who you can count on.